GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Tusculum College head Women's soccer coach Mike Joy has announced that Vanessa Fyffe has been elevated to the position of associate head coach of the Pioneer program.

Fyffe, a 2010 Tusculum graduate, recently finished her third season on the Pioneer coaching staff, where she also serves as junior varsity head coach. During her three years on the coaching staff, the Pioneers have finished with winning records and qualified for the South Atlantic Conference Tournament.

"I want to thank all those who were a part of the decision to give me this opportunity. I take pride in not only helping our players to become more proficient on the field, but to improve as students in the classroom," said Fyffe. "I feel blessed getting to be a part of the Tusculum College community and for the new challenges ahead of me on and off the field."

Prior to returning to Tusculum for the 2013 season, Fyffe spent three seasons as an assistant coach with Division III Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where she worked with the Greyhound goalkeepers and assisted in practice planning, recruiting, fundraising and off-season workouts.

Fyffe, a native of Bellbrook, Ohio, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sport management with a minor in coaching from Tusculum in 2010. During her playing career, she played 22 games and compiled a 9-6-1 record with a 1.18 goals against average. Her career goals against average ranks as the seventh-best in program history.

"I am excited for Vanessa, as she is a very qualified coach and very deserving of this promotion," said Joy, who has won 241 games in 19 seasons as head coach of the Pioneers. "Vanessa's dedication to the program and to Tusculum, and her continued growth within the profession of coaching, has been exemplary. I consider myself very fortunate to work with her as a fellow coach."

Fyffe is a FIFA-certified referee and has regional and state goaltending diplomas from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. She earned her Masters of business administration degree from Moravian.

- TC -